Brian Itzkin is a young American classical guitar maker from Long Island, New York, born in 1996, who trained in Spain with Stephen Hill and builds in the tradition of Antonio de Torres and the Granada school.
At a Glance
- Born: 1996, Long Island, New York
- Workshop: New York (his label reads “Brian Itzkin, Luthier, New York”)
- Training: correspondence with Ervin Somogyi (ages 14–18); Stephen Hill’s course in Spain (2016) and his shop (2020); Daniele Chiesa (2017)
- Chief influence: Antonio de Torres, plus Romanillos, Bouchet, Santos Hernández and Hauser
- Guitars: classical guitars, built in the Granada tradition
- US dealer: GSI is his only dealer in the USA
Interview with Brian Itzkin
A Classical Guitarist from Long Island
Brian Itzkin was born in 1996 just outside of New York City, on the north shore of Long Island. He began guitar lessons at the local music store at age 8, originally wanting to learn his favorite rock and roll riffs, but found himself with a classical teacher who was at the time a DMA candidate at Stony Brook University. Brian remained with this teacher for 10 years, learning to read music and play in the classical style. His childhood teacher, Jason Priset, is now the director of the Lute Society of America’s “Lute Fest” and an adjunct professor at Montclair State University in New Jersey. Brian has recently been working on his playing again and is doing quite well.
First Guitars and Ervin Somogyi
His introduction to guitar making came when he built his first guitar at the age of 13 from a C.F. Martin kit in his father’s poorly equipped basement workshop. Brian says that it was somewhat playable, but it inspired him to build another. After that second guitar, Brian began a correspondence with the highly regarded steel-string maker Ervin Somogyi, which lasted from the ages of 14 to 18. During this time Somogyi sent Brian assignments by mail and email, and the two met yearly at the Woodstock Invitational Luthier Showcase. Their correspondence focused on guitar design, and although Somogyi is a steel-string maker, the ideas he taught and shared with Brian were a major catalyst for Brian’s switch to classical guitars.
Training in Spain with Stephen Hill
At 20 years old, in 2016, Brian took a “semester” off from college after his sophomore year to attend Stephen Hill’s guitar making course in Spain. This proved to be a revelatory experience, and Brian decided to postpone his university studies in favor of studying guitar making. The following year he spent 3 months studying with Daniele Chiesa in the south of Spain and further immersed himself in the Granada guitar making tradition. Back at home, from the end of 2017 until the first months of 2020, he equipped his workshop, collected materials and independently studied the life and work of makers like Antonio de Torres (his chief influence – those of you familiar with Brian will know that he even has a Torres headstock design tattooed on his forearm!), Robert Bouchet, Santos Hernández and Hermann Hauser, before returning to Stephen’s shop in March 2020.
The Granada Tradition
Brian stayed in Spain throughout the Covid lockdown until early September, and in that time built and sold 3 guitars. He learned enormously from this opportunity to spend so much extra time with Stephen, Evan Kingma and Alessandro Perciaccante, who at that time was taking over the role of Stephen’s apprentice as Evan prepared to return to Canada. Brian has since returned to Spain for at least 3 months every year, and has befriended and (in a very informal sense) learned more about the Granada tradition from Rafael Moreno Rodríguez, the varnisher Javier Campos and many others. He also assisted Stephen Hill in teaching his guitar making course in 2022 and in May 2025.
Recognition
Brian has been featured in an article in Acoustic Guitar magazine, and in videos by Brandon Acker after building him an homage to Torres’ FE-13. He also built the first-prize guitar for the High School Classical Guitar Competition held in association with the Long Island Guitar Festival.
Brian Itzkin is one of the young makers we are most excited about, and GSI is proud to be his only dealer in the USA. You’ll find guitars currently in stock by clicking the “Guitars In Stock” button in the header of this page as well as earlier examples in our Museum by clicking the “Guitars In Museum” button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Brian Itzkin?
A young American classical guitar maker, born in 1996 on Long Island, New York, who trained in Spain with Stephen Hill and builds in the tradition of Antonio de Torres.
Where did Brian Itzkin learn guitar making?
Through a long correspondence with Ervin Somogyi, then in Spain with Stephen Hill and Daniele Chiesa, and informally with Granada makers such as Rafael Moreno Rodríguez.
Who are Brian Itzkin’s influences?
Above all Antonio de Torres – he even has a Torres headstock tattooed on his forearm – along with José Romanillos, Robert Bouchet, Santos Hernández and Hermann Hauser.
Where can I buy a Brian Itzkin guitar in the USA?
GSI is Brian Itzkin’s only dealer in the USA.
